German study shows new habit could help stop nail biting

A study has found it is indeed possible to kick habits including nail biting and skin picking.

A study has looked at how to stop nail biting. Picture: iStock

Biting your nails or picking at your skin can be habits that feel nearly impossible to break, but one study has concluded it is possible to do it.

Researches from JAMA Dermatology in Germany found that adopting “self help” habits such as running your finger tips up and down your arm to swap out body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRB).

The trial, solely held online, was held in 2022 and featured participants recruited on social media.

Habits the study looked to break included skin picking and pulling out hair. Picture: iStock

A total of 268 people split into two groups participated in the six week trial, with the majority being in their late 30s.

People who had issues with skin picking made up the bulk of the group, while other conditions such as pulling hair out of your scalp, nail biting and lip and cheek biting were also behaviours the study was looking to break.

Currently, international studies suggest around 30 per cent of the global population are guilty of biting their nails, more commonly in younger people.

In this study, each time the person felt like they were about to take part in their BFRB, they were asked to circle the index and middle finger around the top of the thumb without touching the nail, push fingertips together or crossing their arms and running their finger tips over them.

Nail biting was included in the habit-kicking study. Picture: iStock

One group saw significant improvement, with 52.8 per cent reporting they had fallen into their habit far less than usual.

The study also indicated user satisfaction in the habit replacement group was high.

It ultimately found it was indeed possible to replaces BFRBs with other habits.

“The present proof-of-concept randomised clinical trial tentatively demonstrates that habit replacement is a feasible and effective self-help strategy against BFRBs, especially for nail biting,” the study found.

“Study limitations include the lack of external assessment and verified diagnoses. In addition, the study is missing follow-up data.

“Self-help habit replacement shows promise in reducing BFRBs but not concomitant symptoms.”

Originally published as German study shows new habit could help stop nail biting